PDLM lesson slide show for CIED course

1. Opening Questions: Do you currently send home a weekly/monthly classroom newsletter? Do you currently use a classroom blog to relay information to parents? Classroom Blogs as Interactive, Informative Sites

2. What is a blog? Site where the author or blogger can post text entries similar to a diary or journal. Viewers can comment, answer questions, reply to discussions, find information, etc.

3. How can blogs be used in education? There are numerous ways to use blogs in the classroom that benefit students, teachers, and parents. Benefits include: Assignments posted Discussions on current classroom topics Homework help Information about upcoming events/activities Any other ideas?

4. I don’t have time… Blogs are especially easy to set up with the help of many sites who offer premade blogs available at little to no cost. Simply enter in your information and preferences and VOILA, your classroom blog is ready and launched. Blogging sites: Edublogs.com Blogger.com Wordpress.com

5. Blogs in Primary School?!? How can classroom blogs be used for our younger classes? How many of you have students whose parents you KNOW use sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, etc? As the parents of our students begin to come from more technological generations, we must reach out to them in a way that they can appreciate. So how can we connect with these generations through classroom blogs?

6. Connect with Parents Classroom blogs can be used to connect with parents through posting some of the following: Current classroom topics Upcoming events/activities Homework help or fun educational game sites. Current classroom needs/donations wanted. Discussion forums for parents to connect with each other about classroom topics, activities, parties, etc. Ideas?

7. 10 Ways to use a Classroom Blog by Edublog.com

8. Beware! Before beginning a classroom blog consider the following: Involve the administration Check your school or district’s AUP Talk with parents (there will be those who are not interested!) Be sure you choose a blog that is secure and password protected to keep the unwanted public out!

9. Extentions Develop your own blog! Follow the guidelines on the provided rubric to design a class blog. Share with fellow teachers at an upcoming seminar. Discuss likes or dislikes. Complete a survey conveying your thoughts and ideas on classroom blogging.

10. Resources Edublogs http://edublogs.org/10-ways-to-use-your-edublog-to-teach/ Teaching Tips: Using Online Journals and Blogs from the University of Missouri http://ethemes.missouri.edu/themes/520